Exercising machine



1933- A. F. LUZZI EXERCISING MACHINE Filed Jan. '14, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet1 AJrL wzz i INVENTOR ATTO RN EY Aug. 1, 1933. Luzzl EXERGISING MACHINEFiled Jan. 14, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 m m EH H H m .mu

ATTO RN EY Patented Aug. 1, 1933 EXERCISING MACHINE F. Lnzzi, WichitaFalls, Tex.

[application January 14, 1932.

(iii. Zia-72) l2 Glairns.

This invention relates to exercising devices and it has particularreference to a device of the character specified constructed to possessthe characteristics of a row boat for the physical devel- 5 opment ofthe human body. The principal object of the invention is to provide anassembly of elements, cooperating to bring about a definite result, thatof stim lating the muscular and physical development of the human bodyand for minimizing or retarding corpulency.

Another object of the invention is to provide a continual resistanceagainst the muscular prowess of the operator and to function as a gaugefor gradually increasing the resistance as the operator or userincreases his muscular development. The element of resistance abovementioned operates in the nature of a braking means of a simple andeconomical construction and is of such nature that there will be noaddi- 20 tional strain upon the machine as the resistance is increasedand has simple adjustments which may be instantaneously made by theoperator without necessarily interfering with the operation of themachine.

Another and important object of the invention is to provide againstaccidental slippage or displacement of the chain or flexible line, whichhas the quality of yielding as the machine is operated, due to thepresence of a spring or other resilient element. This feature,.combinedwith a back rest prevents injury of the operator in event of carelessmanipulation or excessive exertion upon the moving parts of the machine.

Yet another object of the invention is to pro- 30 ide an exercisingmachine of the character specified, possessing all ofthe featuresnecessary to adapt the same for exercising the legs, torso, arms andeven the neck by merely interchanging certain parts and detachments onthe machine. I

Broadly, the invention comprehends the provision of an exercisingmachine capable of producing the physical developments which might beobtained through the medium of a row boat, with a View of bringing thecost, thereof down to the minimum, yet maintaining a high degree ofperfection in construction and performance. Moreover, due to the novelmethod of tension adjustment, the machine may be used by a child or byan adult, with equal effectiveness.

With the foregoing objects as paramount, the invention has particularreference to its salient features of construction .and arrangement ofparts, which will become manifest as the de-v Serial No. 586,536

scription proceeds, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings,wherein:

Figure l is a perspective view of an exercising device constructedaccording to the present invention.

Figure 2 is a detail View in elevation showing the brake and tensioningarrangement.

Figure 3 is a side elevation of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is an axial section of the brake drum or grooved pulley shownin Figures 2 and 3.

Figure 5 is a side elevation showing the seat illustrated in Figure 1.

Figure 6 is a View on line 6-6 of Figure 5. Figure '7 is a detail viewin elevation showing the back rest and connection for the tensioningelement.

Figure 8 is a detail view of the handle bar or hand grip to which isconnected the chain or cable constituting a part of the tensioningassembly.

Figure 9 is a transverse section through the middle of the handle bar.

Figure 10 is a side elevational view of the chain 01' cable retainingclip embracing the handle bar in the manner shown in Figure 9.

Figure 11 is a detail view of a hook carried by the end of the chain. l

Figure 12 is a side elevation of the brake or friction member.

Figure 13 is another view of the brake or friction member, and

Figure 14 is a detail view of the foot rests, disposed forwardly of themachine and the braking assembly.

Continuing with a more detailed explanation of the drawings, 1designates parallel tracks, spaced apart by means of transverse braces 2of the peculiar design shown in Figures 1 and 6. The peculiar method ofjoinery employed in assembling the frame structure, which includes thecentral member 3, is such that it will resist considerable strain.

It will be noted that the tracks 1 are provided with longitudinalgrooves 4 and reference to Figure 6 will disclose the purpose of thegrooves 4 which are in the outside faces of the said tracks 1. Inwardlyturnededges 5 of a pair of plates 6 repose within the grooves 4, theplates 6 being provided for supporting the seat 7. It is intended thatthe seat 7 be nonfrictionally moved to and fro along the tracks 1 andfor this purpose, rollers 8 are provided and which are mounted on stubshafts 9 having their ends journaled in bearings afforded by thepeculiar shape or" the seat supporting plates 6. An example of thisstructure is shown clearly in Figures 5 and 6. In event it is desired tolock the seat 7 against movement on the tracks 1, a pair of earns 19 areprovided, one of which is rotatably mounted intermediate the rollers 8in each of the seat supporting plates 6. A thumb lever 11 extendsthrough the plate and is accessible on the exterior surface thereof,immediately below the side edges or" the seat "I. It is necessary onlyfor the operator to pull upward upon the levers 11 to rotate the cam oreccentric '10 and thereby move the same against the surfaces of thetracks 1, thereby lifting the seat 7 and bringing the flanges orinwardly turned edges 5 of the plates 6 into frictional engagement withthe sides of the grooves 4. The seat is thus securely locked in anyposition desired on the tracks 1..

In Figure i, it will be observed that the centrally disposed member 3,situated intermediate the tracks 1 extends well to the front of themachine i'rame just described. Plates 12 are affixed by means of boltsor screws 13 to either side of the centrally disposed member 3 at itsextreme forward end and are provided with strengthening flanges asshown. The member 3 may also be hereinafter referred to and identifiedas a beam or bar. The plates 12, apparent in Figures 3 and 14, arespaced apart to receive therebeneath a pulley or drum 14, which may behereinafter referred to and identified as a brake drum. The drum 14 isrotatably mounted upon ashaft 15, the ends of which extend well outwardfrom the plates 12 and to which is secured blocks 18, which in turn,support th foot pieces 19. The block 18 is secured to the shaft 1.5 bycotter pins 19a. The particular arrangement just described can be seenonly in Figure '1, although the general combination is shown in Figures2 and 14.

Referring specifically to the drum 14, attention 'is directed to Figure4, in which the drum is shown in diametrical cross section. The drum isprovided with a peripheral groove, as shown, in which is embedded aninner liner 2o composed of a material having the characteristics ofrubber,

so that when it is distorted, it will return immediately to its originalshape. The inner liner is likewise grooved at 21, as shown in Figure 4so as to receive a chain or pull line 22, one end of the chain beingconnected at a to a spring 23, as shown in Figure 1, while the oppositeend is adjustably connected at b to the hand grip or handle bar 24. Atthe point of connection a between the chain 22'and spring there is astop which prevents jamming of the spring between 'the beam 3 and thebrake assembly at the front of the machine. The opposite end of thespring 23 is jointed to the rearmost end of the beam 3, there beingprovided a strap 25 so shaped as to 60 provide a connection for thespring 28 as well supports the back rest 26 and further shows atransverse pin 27, which is the specific element way of its ends andwhich saddle is joined to the beam 3. The saddle 28 functions in thecapacity of a silencer in that it eliminates any resounding efiects inthe contraction and expansion of the spring. This feature is importantin the construction of the present invention in that silent operation isa desideratum in the performance of a machine of this nature.

Returning to the drum 14 and its associated elements, it will be notedthat the brake shoe 29 is suspended adjacent the periphery of the druml4 and has a liner 30, which is reinovably conneoted thereto and is soshaped that it will conform to the periphery of the drum 14. Thepeculiar construction of the brake shoe 29 offers a sort of wedge, whichin co-operating with adjacent elements will offer greater resistancewhen desired, and which feature will be described more fully later. Anexample of the construction of the liner 39 is shown in Figures 12 and13 and is connected to the shoe 29 by means of the downwardly turnedupper end 31 having a set screw 32 therein. Opposed slots 33 areprovided in the brake shoe 29, as apparent in Figure 3 and a pin 34passes through the slots'33 and through slots 35 in the plates 12, whichpin limits the upward movement of the brake shoe 29. The slots 35 enablethe brake shoe 29 to be adjusted toward and away from the periphery ofthe drum 14 to increase or decrease the friction upon the surface of thedrum, while the slots 33 enable the brake shoe 29 to be adjustedendwise, which fact will increase or decrease the tension or resistanceof the drum through the medium 'of foot pressure brought upon the footpieces 19,

as will be presently described.

It will be observed that the brake shoe 29 is suspended at two points,it being pointed out that one point of suspension is through the mediumof a bolt 36, extending through the bushing 37, which is an integralpart of the brake shoe 29 and another point of suspension is through themedium of the pin 34, which latter point of suspension is fixed, yetthrough the medium of the slots 33, the brake shoe 29 may be moved upand down.

A pair of L-shaped members 38 are connected to the protruding end of thebolt 36 function to support the heel portion of the foot pieces 19,which are provided with retaining flanges 39.

It will be noted in Figures 2, 3 and 14 that the bushing S'I-has anintegral boss 40 midway of its ends. This boss has an interiorlythreaded aperture therethrough into which is threaded a bolt 41, asshown in Figure 14 and upon the end of the bolt 41 is a block 42. Theblock 42 rests upon the surface of a stationary pin 43, which has itsends journaled in the opposed plates 12. Obviously, by rotating thebolts 41, the brake shoe 29 pivots at the pivot point 34, therebyincreasing or decreasing the frictional engagement of the liner 30 onthe brake drum 14.

The foregoing description clearly defines the mannerin which the footpieces 19 are supported. They are rockably supported on the shaft 15which carries the drum 14 while the heel portions of the foot pieces 19are supported by the L shaped members 38, which are indirectly connectedto the braking elements, previously described. When greater resistanceis desired, greater pressure of the heels is brought upon the pedalmembers 38, and due to their operative con nection at 36 to the wedgeshaped brake shoe 39, the curved under portion thereof slidingly engagesthe pin 43, thus forcing the brake shoe 30 against the drum 14 by thewedging action thus created. By pressing down with the heel upon thefoot pieces 19, the brake shoe 29 is urged against the brake drum 14with the assistance of the wedge shape, to the extent permitted by thebolt 41, which is adjustable to limit the movement ofthe brake shoeagainst the brake drum. By advancing the bolt il against the lateral pin43, the frictional engagement between the brake shoe and brake drum isdiminished. However, by oppositely rotating the bolt 41, pressure uponthe foot pieces 19 will increase the braking action and will thereforeretard or resist the rotation of thebrake drum l4, and accordinglyrequire a greater amount of exertion upon the chain or pull line 22 torotate the drum 14.

In operation, the operator seats himself on the seat 7, placing his feetupon the foot pieces 19sthat the toes will extend beneath the straps 44on the foot pieces and the heels will be retained by the flanges 39. Inthis position, the operator holds the handle bar or hand grip as in bothhands and pulls himself forwardly by the strength of the arms, allowingthe seat '7 to travel along the tracks 1. Having pulled himself to theextreme forward end of the machine, the operator then pushes himselfbackwardly by the strength of the legs, against the resistance offeredby the spring 23 and at thesame time bends his body backwardly tostrengthen the muscles in the arm- When themachine is operated in themanner described in the foregoing, the forward movement obtained by thestrength of the arms may be graduallyrendered more difhcult by makingintermediate adjustments on the brake assembiy, which is done by simplyrotating the threaded bolt 41 in the manner described in the foregoing.The ease and readiness by which braking tension may be adjusted makes itpossible for a child as well as an adult to use the machine with equaleffectiveness in the muscular and physical development of the body.

For adjusting the chain or pull line 22 to correspond with the size ofthe operator, an opening 45 is made in the handle bar 24, as shown inFigure 9 and through which the chain or pull line 22 is passed.

In order to lock the chain securely against slippage, a clasp 46 isprovided and which has a slot 47 for conformably receiving the links ofthe chain, thereby avoiding the possibility of accidental release of thechain or pull line fromthe handle bar. The surplus amount of chain isheld up by means of a hook 48, carried by the extreme end of the chainand is hooked into the links of the chain at a point below its point ofsecurement to the handle bar 24. In addition to its usefulness in thedevelopment of the arms and legs and the removal of surplus flesh on thebody and especially about the waist, the machine is also useful inexercising muscles of the neck through the medium of other'attachmentsnot shown, since they do not form a part of the present invention. Bylooking the seat 7 against movement, the operator may stand upon theseat and exercise the muscles of the back by holding the handle bar 24in both hands and bending over and raising the body against theresistance of the spring 23.

Straps 24a are provided to lock the handle bar 24 in inoperativeposition when the machine is not in use.

The foregoing and many other methods of exercising the body for thepromotion of physical and muscular development may be carried out and itis understood that the invention is not limited to the specificconstruction described, to the modes of operation set forth or to thespecific combination of elements and their relationship and that certainchanges and modifications may be resorted to from time to time withoutdeparting from the spirit and intent of the invention as set forth inthe following claims therefor.

What is claimed is:

'1. An exercising machine including tracks in parallel relationshiphaving a seat constrained to travel from end toend thereof, a grooveddrum rotatably disposed forwardly of said machine, foot. p eces icckablydisposed to either of said or m, friction means arranged to brou againstthe s rface of said drum indirectly controlled by said foot and meanssurrounding said drum having yieldable connection to a'stationary partof said machine and accessible to an operator on said machine.

An erercisin machine including parallel tracks, a seat arranged to moveon said tracks, means for locking said seat against movement, a beamintermediate said tracks whose ends extend beyond the ends of saidtracks, a drum rotatably carried by one end of said and having .aperipheral groove, a pliable liner in said groove, a chain surroundingdrum, expansible means having one end connected to one end of said chainand the other connected to a stationary part of said machine, a pair offoot pieces supported upon the shaft of said drum on either sidethereof, r sans for resisting the rotation of drum u -i said chain,means for actuatin said resist 1g means when pressure is applied to saidfoot pieces and means for adjusting the amount. of resistance on saiddrum.

3. exercising machine including a pair of tracks, a seat mounted formovement on said tracks, means for locking said seat against movement, adrum rotatably mounted forwardly of said seat and having a peripheralgroove therein provided with a pliable liner, foot pieces disposed oneither side of said drun, a flexible pull line surrounding said drum andhaving one end con-,

nected to a stationary part of said machine whereby to eifect rotationof said drum, means for indir ctly increasing said resistance bypressure applied to said foot pieces and means for adjusting the amountof resistance imparted to said drum.

4. An exercising machine having a reciprocating seat and a pair ofrockable foot pieces disposed forwardly of said seat, an annularlygrooved drum interposed between said foot pieces, flexible pull linesurrounding said drum, means for resisting rotation of said drum bypressure applied to said foot pieces and means for tensioning saidresisting means.

5. An exercising machine including a reciprocating seat portion and astationary back rest, an annularly grooved drum rotatably mountedforwardly of said seat portion, foot pieces rockably disposed adjacentsaid drum, means bearing against the face of said drum to resistrotation thereof, a flexible pull line surrounding said drum andmeansfor adjusting the tension of said resisting means.

6. An exercising machine including a movable seat and a back rest, meansfor looking said seat against movement, a grooved, rotatable membermounted forwardly and in line with the plane of travel of said seat, aflexible pull line surrounding said drum and having one end fixed to astationary part of said machine, foot pieces pivotally mounted on theaxis of said rotatable means, frictional means for resisting therotation of said rotatable means, means to eifect control of saidfriction means by pressure apn a pull is exerted on sisting means.

8. A machine of the character described including a movable seat and apair of rockable foot pieces mounted forwardly and in the line of travelof said seat, a pull line composed of yieldable and non-yieldablesections, rotatable means about which the non-yieldable section of saidpull line surrounds, means for resisting the rotation of said lattermeans by pressure applied to said foot pieces and means for changing theeffects of the resistance of said resisting means.

9. In an exercising machine, the combination of a pair of tracks havinglongitudinal grooves in their sides, a seat, mountings for said seatcomprising plates having their lower edges engaging in the grooves ofsaid tracks to hold said seat against other than reciprocating movement,

rollers mounted in said seat mounting for supporting said seat formovement on said tracks, means for locking said seat against movement, arotatable brake drum in advance of said seat, footcpieces mounted oneither side of said brake drum and having operative connection therewithplied to said foot pieces and means for adjustto resist rotary motionthereof, a flexible pull line capable of length adjustment surroundingsaid drum, means for holding said pull line against displacement duringthe operation of said machine and means for locking said pull line ininoperative position.

10. In a machine as set forth in claim 9, a brake shoe pivotally mountedadjacent said brake drum, said brake shoe having a substantiallyWedge-shaped body, means against which said brake shoe is urged to causethe same to' increasingly bear upon the periphery of said brake drum.

11. A machine of the character specified in claim 9, a brake drum, footpieces rockably connected to the axis of said brake drum, a sub--stantially wedge-shaped brake shoe, means indirectly connecting saidfoot pieces to said brake shoe whereby movement thereof will effectmovement of said brake shoe and means against which said brake shoe isurged to cause the same to bear with increasing force on the peripheryof said brake drum to resist rotation thereof.

12. In a machine of the character specified in claim 9, a pair of trackshaving longitudinal grooves therein, a seat, mountings for said seat,said mountings having their lower edges slidingly engaging said grooves,rollers for non-frictionally supporting said seat, cams held normally ininoperative position during movement of said seat, and means for movingsaid cams to cause the same to frictionally engage said tracks to locksaid seat against movement.

AUGUST F. LUZZI.

